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SRQ DAILY Nov 26, 2022

Saturday Perspectives Edition

Saturday Perspectives Edition

"We are getting better now at incorporating what I believe is the most important skill for success in the future by adding an A into STEM, making it STEAM."

- Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art & Design
 

[Dialogue]  About the SRQ DAILY | Perspectives Edition

SRQ Daily: The Perspectives Edition features analysis, commentary and insight on current events in Sarasota and Manatee counties from regular columnists, local leaders and guest contributors. Readers are invited to submit letters that respectfully share their perspective on a local community topic or issue to: letters@srqme.com. Submissions received before Thursday of each week will be considered for the immediate Saturday edition. Editors reserve the right to fact-check and edit. SRQ MEDIA does not house an editorial board and as such does not publish editorials or endorsements of candidates. The opinions and analysis of columns and letters shared in this edition are those of the writer who submitted them. The Perspectives Edition serves as a respectful and thoughtful space for readers to share their voices on topics that are important to them.

 
[Under The Hood]  Small Business Saturday Boosts Local Economy
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

If you already slogged through the malls on Black Friday, it’s time to visit local businesses for Small Business Saturday.

The movement to support independently-owned businesses has grown in recognition. About 53% of consumers nationwide intend to support small businesses as part of the holiday shopping weekend, according to a RetailDive survey. Of course, the same poll said 94% of consumers say small businesses are an important part of the community and should offer up deals for the national event. But that’s America, for you.

The real success of the movement will be felt today at cash registers. Know that when your spending goes to a mom-and-pop shop, its benefits to the community last longer than when a major chain takes a cut. A study from American Express, a major force being promotion of Small Business Saturday, found 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community, compared to 43 cents for every dollar handed over to a national chain.

Important to this conversation, Sarasota and Manatee counties always rank high nationally in the level of small business activity. WalletHub earlier this year ranked South Bradenton, Sarasota and Bradenton among its top 30 small cities in America to start a business.

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County noted the strong ecosystem of support for small business in its recruitment materials, noting the major organizations like the Greater Sarasota and Manatee chambers of commerce and the smaller ones like the Gulf Coast CEO Forum, Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. On the retail end, businesses like the Downtown Sarasota Alliance promote retail in areas dominated by locally owned businesses.

Thankfully, much of the local support does its part to encourage local commerce. Visit Sarasota County, for example, has a guide to shopping areas like Burns Court and the Rosemary District that boast numerous local storefronts. It promotes businesses like fashion boutique Lotus in Downtown Sarasota, the find-friendly Sarasota Architectural Salvage or the beach-prepping Coastal Emporium in Englewood. If you venture to these local storefront-heavy districts, do you dining local as well, maybe at Libby’s in Southside Village or Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille in Downtown Bradenton. 

All of this doesn’t always come to mind on big shopping weekends, when the rush of the crowds at major malls or the quiet serenity of online shopping offer their own appeal to different consumers. It’s important to remember, of course, that most storefronts these days maintain websites and will happily sell products online or remote. It just sometimes takes a little effort on the part of the consumer.

Million-dollar ad campaigns push advertising front of mind for national brands. In that sense, shopping local demands more conscientiousness from the consumer, but it’s valuable to do.  And the reward, a thriving local economy, will give back in ways important to the quality of life year-round.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Image courtesy Visit Sarasota: Shoppers at St. Armands Circle.

[Higher Education]  Arts Adds Steam To Education's Value
Dr. Larry Thompson, lthompso@ringling.edu

These days, art, design and culture can be found almost everywhere you look. From the movie and TV series we watch, to the clothes we wear, products we buy, and virtually everything we look at daily on our smartphones. In short, creativity is omnipresent. 

There is one key place however, where creativity is still not ubiquitous. That place, or places more correctly, are too many of our schools, particularly K-12. For some time now, our historical educational system has placed great emphasis on the well-known STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and math – these so-called “left-brain” skills that students have needed historically to succeed in their professional lives. But we are getting better now at incorporating what I believe is the most important skill for success in the future by adding an “A” into STEM, making it STEAM. The “A” stands for the arts which focus on developing, nurturing and encouraging creativity.

At Ringling College of Art and Design, we are working to enrich and enhance our students’ lives and professional careers through academic excellence and professional opportunities. But we also go to great lengths to encourage exposure to the arts from an earlier age, during students’ pre-college-years and earlier. 

One of the ways we do this is exactly that: our Ringling College PreCollege Program. This four-week, summer intensive program allows high school students to live the life of a Ringling student on campus. The students select major-related immersions to try out and get a taste of college-level work. We like to think of it as a trial run before the real thing. Think about it, most of us wouldn’t dream of buying a car before test driving it. So why should we expect our students to decide on a college career path before trying it? High school students today have a lot of pressure on them to narrow down their career choice so early on, in order to find their right path through higher education and on into their professional lives. PreCollege enables students not only to test out their creative skills and help solidify that they are making the right decision, but it can also help them realize that an art and design career may not be the path for them. For other students who are looking to take a class or two, we offer those as well as part of our High School Teen Concentrations offered on the Ringling College Main Campus. 

Also for high school audiences, and for children even younger and their families, are classes at The Studios @ SAM. These art-making classes at Sarasota Art Museum are offered to people of all ages and abilities, but many of them are focused on appealing to the younger generations. Courses range from bookmaking and ceramics, to weaving, beadwork, drawing, painting, printmaking, and photography. The past two summers have seen between 250-350 middle- and high-school aged students participating in class offerings at The Studios. Another great opportunity at the Museum is the Teen Arts Council. The TAC is a group of fifteen creative high school students who share a common interest in art and community engagement. This year-long program with a summer intensive offers participants the opportunity to engage with art, culture, and history; develop workplace and team-building skills; and learn about a range of professional options and career paths. 

Countless studies have shown that the arts, especially when cultivated and nurtured at a young age, have so many positive benefits. Some of these include: good mental health and increased engagement, which leads to lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety; an increase in motor skill capacity particularly in young children; aiding in the development of social-emotional and interpersonal skills; helping to improve creative, critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as developing the ability to handle constructive criticism; and, providing a vehicle to learn about, and accept diversity and different cultures. 

Ringling College is committed to providing educational arts opportunities for students of all ages across our local community. Maybe some of these students will end up at Ringling College pursuing an art and design degree and learning how to turn their passion into profession… or maybe they won’t. But our hope is that whatever they decide to pursue in life, they will carry with them the creative skills and life lessons learned through the arts, helping to lead them down the path to success and fulfillment in this new creative world.  

Dr. Larry Thompson is the president of Ringling College of Art & Design. 

Photo courtesy Sarasota Art Museum: Students at The Studios @ SAM.



[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch , January 2 – December 25, 10am-2pm

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 90 curated vendors of the region’s best food and flavors, located at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. It takes place every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Waterside Place. It’s your weekend destination for organic produce, meat, poultry, seafood, bread, pasta, juices and prepared foods. Stay up to date on vendors and events by visiting TheMarketLWR.com.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime: Limelight Market , April 23 – December 17, 10am-3pm

Every 3rd Saturday from 10-3 The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime opens their outdoor space for guest vendors, dog rescues, and live music. Check out the 40 local creators and curators inside The Bazaar every Thursday - Saturday. Enjoy a delicious lunch and support local. Free, until you buy something amazing! 

[SOON]  FILM: Sarasota Film Society: Movies For Heroes , September 13 – December 13, Varied

Sarasota Film Society is proud to present "Movies For Heroes", a year long Salute to our Military. Active, Non-Active, Retired Personnel & their family are welcomed to join us once a month at 11am at Burns Court & Lakewood Ranch Cinemas starting in January of 2022 for a year of free movie screenings. 10% of the concession sales from these screenings will go to Wounded Warrior Project. Space is limited, reserve your tickets today. Location Burns Court Cinemas 506 Burns Court Sarasota, FL 34236.

506 Burns Court Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  GALLERY: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - The Orchid Show 2022 , October 15 – December 4, 10am-5pm

EXHIBITION: The Orchid Show 2022, October 15 – December 4, 10 AM – 5 PM Marie Selby Botanical Gardens showcases the beauty and diversity of orchids in “The Orchid Show 2022: Capturing the Perfect Shot.” This immersive, photography-themed exhibition features innovative horticultural vignettes with hundreds of orchids in flower in the Tropical Conservatory and large-format photos of rare orchids from the Gardens’ own collection in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. On view through December 4 at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus. For more information, visit selby.org. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 Historic Spanish Point campus401 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229 TEL 941.210.0874

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

[SOON]  THEATER: URBANITE THEATRE: The Burdens , October 21 – November 27, Varied

Siblings Mordy and Jane have a problem. Their dreadful, centenarian grandfather is an emotional and financial tax on the family, and he just won’t die. Scheming almost entirely via sarcastic and misspelled text messages, the siblings hatch an outrageous plan to relieve their family of their grandfather’s burden. Zany, twisted and inventive, this dark comedy reminds us it’s much easier to write what we could never say face to face. LOCATION 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236 CONTACT (941) 321-1397 info@urbanitetheatre.com www.urbanitetheatre.com

Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236

[SOON]  FOOD: Epicurean Greece Menu at Michael's On East , November 1 – December 1, Tuesday through Saturday evenings

On November 1st we launched the Epicurean Greece menu at Michael's On East: "The culinary team at Michael’s On East is challenged to create new dishes inspired by the world’s most exotic destinations each month. Join us to experience ever-changing, palate-pleasing global cuisine with Michael's Epicurean Adventures. The three-course dinner menu is available Tuesday through Saturday evenings for $42.95 per person." The menu includes: “Kasarma Seafood Saganaki” - Shrimp, Clams and Swordfish with Roasted Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, Gremolata Butter, Orzo Pasta, Toasted Goat Cheese, and Ouzo Flambé; and “Grande Bretagne Braised Baby Lamb Shank” - Braised Lamb Shank with Green Peas, Garbanzo Beans, Carrots, and Lemon Risotto.

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Sarasota Medieval Fair , November 5 – November 27, 10am-5:30pm

SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR Every Saturday and Sunday running November 5th-27th, 2022 at Woods of Mallaranny (29847 FL-70 E.Myakka City, FL 34251). Welcome one and all to four weekends of exciting tournaments, scrumptious feasts, & pure family fun at the 18th Annual Sarasota Medieval Fair! Live the majesty and madness of knights, jesters, minstrels, acrobatics, wenches, and sword swingers! Watch jousts and human combat chess tournaments! Listen to musical displays of powerful bagpipes and the heart pounding drums. Feast on turkey legs and hearty ales. A full day of entertainment. You will not miss your favorite show as you stroll through the village as the shows repeat several times a day to adjust to your schedule. Get into the fun by wearing your favorite medieval or renaissance garb to feel part of the clan! For tickets visit www.sarasotamedievalfair.com Phone 1-888-303-FAIR (3247)

Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 FL-70 E. Myakka City, FL 34251

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Imagine Museum Offering Free Admission to Veterans and First Responders Through November , November 1 – November 30

The Imagine Museum, a contemporary glass art gallery located in downtown St. Petersburg, announced Tuesday that veterans, active-duty military, first responders and their immediate family members will receive free admission throughout November in recognition of National Veterans and Military Families Month. Located on Central Avenue, the museum plans to showcase its “Flight and Illusion” installation, a series of military-themed glass art created by Imagine Museum Founder Trish Duggan. Additionally, the museum features artwork created by Harvey Littleton, founder of the American studio glass movement and World War II Army Signal Corpsman. The Imagine Museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m.

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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